For immediate release
TORONTO (February 16, 2005) – Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. dazzled audiences at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto today with the first Canadian showing of the Evolve S40, a radical version of the highly acclaimed Volvo S40 sports sedan.
While the Volvo Evolve S40 is strictly a styling and engineering exercise designed to build interest within the enthusiast segment, the car shows what is possible with the new-for-2005 S40.
"I think that the Evolve S40 will make a big impression at the show," said Paul Cummings, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. “The S40 is a terrific car with plenty of potential for enthusiasts. With a little engineering know-how and a healthy imagination, Evolve has created a real eye-catching Volvo.” The car was built by Evolve Cars, Inc. of California.
Painted in a silver metallic and titanium grey metallic paint scheme, the Evolve S40 is a full frontal assault on the tuner and enthusiast market. With an estimated 425 horsepower going to all four wheels through a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission, the Evolve S40 will turn lap times as fast as it will turn heads.
Stunning exterior styling
From 30 feet away it's clear that the Evolve S40, while based on a production version of the popular Volvo S40 sport sedan, is no normal Volvo. The S40's design cues are taken to the extreme with the Evolve S40. What's most noticeable is the aggressively styled, custom-built body and trim pieces. Up front is the Evolve-designed front bumper with an ultra-deep front spoiler that houses Evolve Cars' signature mesh grille inlays. Functional twin air inlet scoops molded into the front fenders direct cool air over the turbocharger and into the engine compartment for improved performance and better engine cooling.
Lower side sills, rear valance, trunk spoiler and taillight trim add to the Evolve S40's aggressive appearance. The fuel filler is relocated out of sight. Perhaps what lends most to the Evolve S40's stance is the high-performance wheel and tire package. As with all true performance cars, the Evolve S40 rides on staggered shoes. The lightweight HRE "C21"alloy wheels are 8.5-inches wide in front and a full 11.0-inches wide at the rear. Diameters front and rear are 19.0 inches. The wheels are wrapped in low profile Pirelli PZero "Rosso" tires that are 255/30ZR-19 up front and 305/25ZR-19 around back.
Other exterior modifications include a custom made 3.5-inch dual exhaust system, darkened tail lamps and a body colour moon roof.
Fire breathing engine
The two small openings on the Evolve S40's fenders hint at its performance potential. Used to direct air in and around the engine compartment, they are needed to keep things cool beneath the car's sculpted hood. Front and centre in the engine bay is a massive intercooled turbocharger. Thick veins of plumbing run across the inline 5-cylinder engine and a strut tower brace helps stabilize the chassis of the Evolve S40.
State of the art suspension & braking system
Bringing a finely-tuned, high-output S40 to a stop in short order is Evolve’s high-performance braking system. Up front are monstrous 380mm two-piece rotors with eight-piston liquid-cooled eight-piston AP Racing calipers. At the rear are 362mm two-piece rotors with six-piston AP Racing calipers. Gracing the massive rotors is a special slotting pattern using the signature Evolve “E” to maximize braking performance. Keeping all of this under supreme control is Volvo's anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution.
When Evolve decided how much tire contact patch they needed to handle the power and deliver the cornering and braking performance desired, it quickly became clear that an extraordinary suspension was needed. To accommodate, Evolve’s chief engineer, Mano Agulian, created a Formula One style pushrod rear suspension, bringing the strut/spring assembly inboard into the vehicle’s trunk and created new wheel wells around the aggressive tires. Up front, a custom Evolve adjustable coil-over suspension provides precision handling and a nearly flat cornering stance. Large Evolve anti-roll bars and fully adjustable Koni struts and Eibach springs give the driver ultimate control and adjustability for any road surface. Volvo's Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) system is also on hand to help keep the car stable during extreme maneuvers.
Innovative Volvo interior goes high tech
The 2005 Volvo S40 introduced a unique design element for automotive interiors: the ultra slim center stack. Covered in stylish aluminum trim, the swooping curve combines Scandinavian design influence with a touch of high-end electronics. Behind the slim panel, more interior storage space is available with the addition of a small tray that's perfect for a cell phone or other items.
The Evolve S40 adds unique interior appointments including silver “carbon fibre” leather and grey leather seating surfaces atop the supremely comfortable Volvo seats. A silver suede headliner and other silver and graphite coloured pieces highlight the interior along with performance aluminum pedals, custom speaker and grilles and an Evolve shift knob.
Evolve Cars, Inc. designs, builds and markets unique styling and performance products specifically for late model Volvo automobiles. Based in Southern California, Evolve products are distributed internationally. For more information, please visit: www.evolvecars.com.
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 43 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The company’s product range includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon, the S60 sports sedan, and an XC-line of vehicles that includes the rugged XC70 and the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle. For 2005, the company is introducing the completely redesigned S40 sports sedan and V50 sportswagon, providing performance for a new generation.
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Contact:
Doug Mepham
1-877-975-1572 office
613-966-2371 mobile
doug.mepham@bellnet.ca
Chad Heard
416-540-4229
chadheard@rogers.com
Media website:
Keith Hays
Vice President, Marketing
Evolve Cars, Inc.
(626) 305-5529
